A man who dons fashionable hosiery tells a story, shows he is mindful of leaving great impressions and pays homage to fashion. Such a man understands dressing well vs. being well dressed. The intrepid understanding comes with age and a wholesome understanding of one’s soul. Bertram Cooper knows precisely what I mean…
Grant Harris, owner and chief style consultant of Image Granted, a Washington, D.C.-based company, says “People notice what you should be wearing—not the nice things you are wearing. If you’re wearing a nice shirt and a crummy tie, they’re going to notice the tie, not the shirt.” Courtesy of ManofTheHouse.Com & Gin Ando.
Here’s my guide:
a) In warm temps mid-calf socks may work well but they don’t work for me as they descend, crumple and reveal a hairy leg. Go for an over-the-calf, below-the-knee fitting. This way you’ll never feel shy to cross your legs like a dame while seated.
b) A sock should have a flat, no-feel seam over the toes and quality ribbing on the band that hugs below-the-knee with tight comfort.
c) When putting on the sock be very gentle so you don’t stretch parts that shouldn’t be stretched. Careful how you maneuver around the heel. You don’t want the stretch of fabric that extends from the ankle to the calf to inadvertently lose it’s flush fitting. When that happens you know it’s time to replenish your arsenal. In general, replenish socks often.
d) As for “standby black, blue & grey hues, consider those for professional and boardroom-style events only” says Harris. Matching hosiery to trousers has long been considered the norm but Harris keenly notes, “Men don’t really have a lot of room to express themselves but this is an area where a man can express himself. I’m not saying be outlandish or get crazy, though.” If you want to don socks that attract palsied, head-turner, gratifying looks visit Alfredo Gonzales.
e) Socks made of a predominantly nylon composite will deprive your feet of ventilation and although they seem thinner & lighter your feet will feel dank & musty. Harris observes, “Wool is the best material on the whole. It breathes better, it’s cooler and it wicks more moisture.” Dependent on the type, weave and thickness of the fibers (cashmere, merino, etc.), wool is naturally engineered for year round climate & comfort, insulating from heat and cold.
Over a lifetime feet log somewhere in the vicinity of 70,000 miles and sweat 10–15 gallons yearly of which 5–8 gallons are absorbed by socks. Cotton socks are considered a poor choice because their absorbency causes fibers to collapse against the skin as opposed to wool which wicks moisture away from the skin and simultaneously traps dead airspace against the skin; cottons trapped perspiration in cold climates can lead to hypothermia. Ever wear two layers of cotton socks in the winter as a child and get soggy feet in the classroom that make your entire body shiver? “Heat loss through wet clothing can be 240 times that lost while wearing dry clothing.” (Facts courtesy of Foxsox.com)
f) Be mindful on how you wash wool blends etc. Instructions should come with your purchase and if not, inquire. Wools can be worn more than once so long as you let them air out.
g) Socks should fit flush against your feet. The heel section should fit the heel and no parts should leave room for wiggle.
Don’t think folks don’t notice your hosiery. “After a man’s wardrobe is nearing an acceptable level, it’s time to focus on refining details” quips Harris and, “to peer into a man’s soul look at his socks”. Next time you walk into your bosses office and he asks you to remove your shoes you’ll know why.
Image Granted generated a list of sock manufacturers (categorized by price) that may assist with your journey in finding socks that suit you…
Return to our homepage to learn about custom dress shirts.